Sustainable salvation of deficient RC bridges by means of the UHPFRC Technology

Structural application of impermeable, tensile strain hardening UHPFRC (Ultra-High-Performance Fibre-Reinforced-Cementitious Composite) follows two fundamental concepts: 1) Rehabilitation and strengthening of existing bridges by adding a layer of UHPFRC, and 2) Construction of new bridges in UHPFRC. This paper presents recent UHPFRC project realized in Switzerland using UHPFRC for the salvation of deficient reinforced concrete bridges, to improve their structural resistance and durability, as well as to extend their service duration. This allows to avoid the common practice consisting in the material and cost invasive “demolition-replacement” still largely applied. In this way, the UHPFRC Technology using a small amount of a novel building material provides a significant contribution towards sustainability since UHPFRC allows to preserve the existing bridge, its original materials and embodied energy.